New Program Aimed at American Indian College Students 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

      The state plans to start a program this summer in an attempt to increase the number of American Indian students who earn college degrees.

      The Gear-Up program is designed to help students from the reservation adjust to college life, said Keith Moore, director of South Dakota's Indian Education office.

      It will prepare middle school and high school students for classes and give senior high students a six-week experience at a university during the summer, said Moore.

      “What we're hoping is these kids will feel comfortable heading off to college,'' Moore said.

      The Gear-Up program is modeled after a similar one on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. That program has led to an increase the number of American Indian students who graduate from college, said Moore.

      The state received a $6.9 million matching federal grant to take the program statewide for six years.

— Associated Press